Orocovis (o-ro-KO-vis) is a municipality of Puerto Rico located in the Central Mountain Range, north of Villalba and Coamo; south of Morovis and Corozal; southeast of Ciales; east of Jayuya; and west of Barranquitas. Orocovis is spread over 15 wards and Orocovis Pueblo (The downtown area and the administrative center of the city).

History

Founding

Orocovis was founded in 1825 by Juan Rivera de Santiago. Derives its name from a local Taino Indian Chief Orocobix (Orocovis) and his yucayeque or tribe were known as the Jatibonicu Taino.

Flag

The flag of Orocovis is formed by five vertical stripes: Two green at the ends and a blue one in the center divided by two narrower stripes.

Coat of Arms

The oval is symbol of the letter "o", initial of the name of the town. In each quadrant appear representative elements of the town. In the left superior quadrant an Indian bust, symbol of the great "Chief Orocovix", in silhouetted in gold on a silver-plated background. The Indian bust faces towards the star or sun that appears in the superior right quadrant, which is in gold on a blue background and represents the territorial municipality with its seventeen rays or demarcations. In the inferior quadrant a plantain plant is observed, silhouetted in gold on a silver-plated background. A bridge also silhouetted in gold on a blue background, above the river appears in the left inferior quadrant.

Demographics

Barrios (Districts/Wards)

• Ala de Piedra
• Barros
• Bauta Abajo
• Bauta Arriba
• Bermejales
• Botijas
• Cacaos
• Collores
• Damián Arriba
• Gato
• Mata de Caña
• Orocovis
• Pellejas
• Sabana
• Saltos
  

Geo/Topography

Central Mountain Range
Gorges are: Doña Juana, Palmar y Cacaos
Rivers are: Toro Negro, Sana Muertos, Orocovis, Matrullas, Bauta

Economic

Agriculture

Cattle, coffee, fruits and tobacco.

Industrial

Several small nutritional product industries.

Landmarks and Places of Interest

• Indian Cave
• Matrullas Lake
• Orocovis Museum
• Taíno Refuge
  

Festivals and Events

• Infant Theater Festival - April
• Patron Festivities - June
• Shrimp Festival - July
• Craft Fair - September
• Youth Festival - October
  

Notable Orocoveños

• Artesano Celestino Avilés
• Antonio Ortiz Hernández - Professor
• Efraín Rodríguez Otero - Priest
• Jenaro Collazo Collazo - Doctor
• Pedro Orlando Torres
• Rafael Santo Domingo

Orocovis, Puerto Rico. (2006, October 5). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 21:41, October 19, 2006, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Orocovis%2C_Puerto_Rico&oldid=79579581